Although usually considered a positive step in managing depression, beginning therapy can make symptoms seem worse for some. You are truly not alone if you find this to be your case. There may be several reasons as to why your depression got worse in the first place, and identification may perhaps facilitate a way forward emotionally.
Adjusting to Change and Emotional Unpacking
Beginning the process of therapy is beginning a process of some fairly major change. You may be talking about feelings or experiences that you have suppressed for many years. This emotional unpacking can be intense and painful; increased sadness or anxiety might occur. This is normal when one starts talking about unresolved emotions; feeling overwhelmed can arise as the act of facing one's feelings brings discomfort to the surface.
People also come to therapy in the hope of working their way through traumatic incidents or painful memories. This can be a very painful process, and at times it will even appear as though you are moving backward before you can go forward. It is often necessary to acknowledge that the discomfort of working on the pain really is part of the process of healing. Challenging deep-seated beliefs and thought patterns is common in therapy. While this is necessary for growth, this nurtures feelings of inadequacy as well as self-doubt and at times this may reinforce your depression in the process.
Managing Expectations and the Process of Change
Your expectations from therapy also play a large part in how you feel about the process. If you expect immediate symptom relief, you might feel let down when improvements take a little time. Most often, individuals expect immediate results, but healing is often gradual and nonlinear. Understanding that therapy is a journey and not a quick fix will help adjust your expectations to reduce frustration.
Pressuring yourself to do well in therapy can add even more to your stress. You may feel like you're supposed to hurry up and get better, which could add anxiety and self-doubt. It's nice to remind oneself: It is not a race. Everyone heals at his or her own pace, and that is okay.
Finding the Right Fit and Seeking Support
But probably more important than anything else in producing effective therapy is the therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist. If you feel your depression is deepening, it may be worth exploring the fit with depression therapists near me. A good therapeutic alliance-feeling comfortable and understood-is a very key ingredient to progress. Without this, it's just so much more difficult to open up. You may want to talk about this with your therapist or consider a change.
Second, it is very important during this time to take care of one-self. Follow a self-care routine that keeps you connected, centred, and cared for: exercises, meditation, spending time with loved ones. Give yourself permission to be patient, and remind yourself healing does take time and it's normal to have bad days.
Communicating and Evaluating Your Treatment
The line of communication should always remain open with your therapist. If you feel worse, then it should be talked about. Honesty may give them an idea where you are in regard to feelings and might want to change their approach. Talking about progress, even minor changes, will enlighten them on ways your path of therapy is going.
This may be the appropriate time to reassess your treatment plan when your depression keeps worsening. You may want to bring up adding extra support that can include medication, alternative therapy, or other forms of treatment. Sometimes, therapies work, but not well enough, and one has to try different methods which might connect with them better.
